"The Avatar will be here soon. All guards should be on alert" Tao said to his subordinate who immediately rushed off to report the orders.
"Is the Council here?" Yukito asked running up to Tao.
Tao nodded and stood shoulder to shoulder with his best friend. Yukito's salt and pepper hair shone in the sunlight and his gold eyes glinted as he looked around the street in front of them. They were standing in front of a building which had been specially decorated and guarded for a meeting of the Avatar to many leaders from the Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation and Water Tribes.
This happened once every ten years and it was done to discuss problems that other nations faced and the solutions.
"Just relax, Yukito. The Avatar will be here in few minutes" Tao clapped his best friend on the back and Yukito smiled.
"How is your wife? Last time I saw her, she was ready to pop the child out" Yukito joked.
Tao laughed and his bright blue eyes twinkled.
"Don't let her hear you say that. You might be my best friend but she is very fierce" Tao replied running a hand through his short brown hair.
"Sir, an intruder was spotted in the nearby area" A White Lotus sentry said running up to them.
"Keep him in custody" Tao said smoothly and they heard a honk.
"The Avatar is here. Everyone on alert" Yukito stated and the sentry ran off.
Tao and Yukito ran forward and saw the Avatar in a Satomobile with his brother in law Sokka and the Chief of Police, Toph Bei Fong. They walked alongside the car and there was a huge blast.
The building blew into pieces. Tao and Yukito held out their hands to shield themselves and the Satomobile from harm.
"Go back!" Tao ordered and the Satomobile drove backwards.
Tao used his water bending and began putting out the flames. Yukito used his fire bending to clear the smoke and fire.
"Oh my god" Tao and Yukito entered the building with caution.
On the floor were the dead bodies of many White Lotus sentries. Yukito looked down at the bodies of his friends and brothers and hung his head. Tao pressed a hand against his heart and bowed his head. His friends and brothers were in a better place now.
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"This is ridiculous! Something perilous could have happened" Coucilman Tarrlok said.
The council had reconvened to find out what action could be taken against the threat.
"We should wait and watch to see what will happen" Tenzin said.
"Councilman Tenzin. You have been summoned by Toph Bei Fong" A White Lotus sentry arrived and Tenzin left the room.
"We should send forward two guards from the White Lotus to investigate this incident" Tarrlok suggested.
The council agreed and Tarrlok suggested two White Lotus sentries. The plan was set.
PAGE BREAK
Tao and Yukito entered the healers area and found Tao's wife Lina on a bed holding a small baby in her hands. Lina's long black hair was tied up into a ponytail and her blue eyes showed exhaustion but there was a hint of pride as well.
"Oh, would you look at him. He'll grow up to be as handsome as his father" Tao rushed forward to hold his son in his arms.
"Congratulations to both of you" Yukito said looking at Lina.
"What happened? I heard the news from the healers. I was so afraid that something might have happened to you" Lina said.
"He has your black hair, Lina. And your blue eyes" Yukito commented as Tao passed him the child.
"We have to go for another mission but we'll be back. And then we'll name our handsome son" Tao said.
He took his wife's hand and kissed her on her lips.
"I'll be back. I promise" He vowed and left his wife with the healers.
PAGE BREAK
Tao and Yukito under Councilman Tarrlok's orders infiltrated a building where it was said that the people who had planted the fire bomb in the City Hall to murder the Avatar were organising their plans.
Tao climbed through the window and helped Yukito inside. It was dark and Yukito brought out a small flame in his palm to help them see. There was a table in the centre of the room and Tao rushed to see what was spread out on it.
The door burst open and a shot of lightening hit the unsuspecting Tao. Tao fell to the floor and Yukito fought with all his life.
"Intruders!" The man ran off and Yukito shook Tao.
"Tao, wake up!" Yukito helped his friend up and out the window they went.
They walked through the alleys and there was a sound. Yukito turned to the right to see a knife edged into the wall.
"Knife throwers? What is going on?" Yukito helped his friend out and they saw a sentry from the White Lotus.
"Jeong?" Yukito smiled, thinking they were saved.
Jeong took out a pair of knives and threw them with speed right at Yukito. Yukito turned and began running. He picked Tao up on his back and began running.
"Yukito..." Tao murmured as he came to.
"Jeong's throwing knives at us. Why?" Yukito asked as he ran.
"Something's wrong" Tao said.
Yukito stopped and set his friend down on his feet. Tao staggered but looked around. There was a sound and Yukito turned around.
"No!" Tao jumped in front of his best friend and the knife went right into his heart.
"Tao!" Yukito yelled.
Tao fell to the floor and Yukito stared at him, shocked.
"Run, you fool. Otherwise, he'll get you too!" Tao said.
Yukito bent down but Tao pushed him away. "Go! Run!"
Yukito hesitated but began to run. He ran and ran until he reached the park. There he hid in the bushes until dawn. Night fell again and he came out of the bushes. He knew exactly where he was headed. He reached the City Hall and snuck inside.
"It was in our best interests that we got rid of those two sentries as well" Yukito heard from a doorway.
Yukito ran off and entered a small room. It was another office room and he collapsed against the wall. The council had given an order to kill Tao and himself? They were the ones who were chosen for the mission. It wasn't their fault.
The door opened and Yukito climbed into a cupboard to hide himself. Tenzin entered and opened up the windows. The night air entered the room and the door opened again.
"Your order has been acted upon. The two sentries are dead" Jeong entered the room and Yukito felt himself begin to heat up at the sight of his best friend's killer.
"Thank you. Please send the message on to Tarrlok" Tenzin said.
The minute Jeong was out the door Yukito burst out of the cupboard. He pulled out his knife and held it against Tenzin's throat.
"You are a dirty little traitor. You killed my best friend tonight" Yukito whispered.
"Kill me, I deserve it" Tenzin said standing absolutely still.
"I won't. I'll be back. I'll kill you when the time is right" Yukito vowed.
The door opened and Yukito jumped out the open window. He ran away from City Hall and through the streets. He reached a familiar house and found the light on in one of the rooms. He walked through the gate and saw Lina outside with her son.
She made the baby lie down in the cot and turned to hang up some clothes on the washing line. Yukito sighed and crept into the garden. Lina went inside to get more clothes and Yukito grabbed the child. He ran off and Lina came back out.
She looked into the cot and screamed.
"My child!" She shouted.
She ran out of her home and looked around at the street. But there was no hope. Her child was gone. She went back inside and found the note.
Tao is dead. I have taken the child with me. I will raise him to be a young man. You must move on from this. Find yourself a new life and take care of yourself.
Yukito
Lina sobbed uncontrollably and held her child's blankets to her chest. Her child was gone.
Tao left Republic City and took the boat to the Earth Kingdom. It was time to start a new life with his friend's son.